CNN International today launched a new weekend edition of 'International Desk'. Anchored by Jonathan Mann, the 30 minute version of the program airs twice on Saturday and Sunday in the same time slot the weekend programs airs (1500 GMT & 1800 GMT).

Meanwhile, some viewers have expressed concern and outrage over CNN International's decision to reduce the main weekday European prime time version of 'International Desk' to 30 minutes (from 60 minutes).

Some example comments from the International Desk and Hala Gorani threads on the forum:

"Hala's IDESK is one of the best programs during the European primetime lineup. Cutting it down is the worst decision they've made so far." - Axl0706

"I can't believe this is happening! Don't they realised that the I-Desk is one the most popular shows ever?" - jualexandria

"IDESK has probably the best flow of any CNNI show, with the best coverage of news. And the whole 1 hour never drags down as it is so fast-paced. With this news, this show will be no different than some of the weekend WR or W1, which to me, is not a good thing." - Junk Junk.

"I can say one thing about tghis decesion: Boooooooooooooooooooooo!" -hound815

"They are going to regret this one. Hala's one of the most popular anchors on CNNI. I'd probably still watch, but DEFINITELY not as often, if it wasn't for her." - Cee

Fans have also been taking to the program's facebook page to vent their anger at the move, and a protest page has also been started on the social networking site. The 'Linking to Hala Gorani' blog also calls on viewers of the show to express their disappointment via CNN's feedback page.

The move to shave 30 minutes off the 1800 GMT weekday edition is apparently a result of 'Prism' being extended to 60 minutes from this Monday. The taped feature program that normally aired following that show moves to 1830 GMT. The 1500 GMT edition of 'International Desk' will still run for 60 minutes.

** Edit to clarify: the weekday European prime time version is reduced to 30 minutes from 60 minutes.